There is a lot to be said for settling down in one place, putting down roots, and flourishing in the place where you are. College is a great time to do this—to grow both as a person and in relationships with those around you. Take advantage of the opportunities that four years of relative consistency will give you! At the same time, in college it’s sometimes easy to take this to the extreme and get so involved in the campus bubble that the rest of the world sort of disappears. The word I want to use for this is “tragic”… although that might be overstating it just a bit. Maybe.
So, while you’re enjoying the benefits of consistency, remember that there is a really big world outside of your campus… and do what you can to stay connected to it. I have three practical suggestions for doing just that, all of which you can do without ever leaving North Texas.
1. Build relationships with international students. How exciting is it to think of all the nations represented on your campus? While it’s easy to get focused in on your group of culturally-similar friends, college presents a unique opportunity for getting to experience other cultures without ever leaving the campus. So take advantage of it! Join the International Student Association! Get involved with ministries at UBC that are directed toward the international community! Introduce yourself to someone in a shared class or in the cafeteria! It can be really lonely living in a foreign country where no one speaks your language and all the fruit in the grocery store looks and smells different. A genuine overture of friendship might be really, really appreciated.
2. Take advantage of cultural programs both on your campus and in the area. One of my favorite college memories was going to a Vietnamese church fair in Arlington with some Vietnamese friends. Such opportunities abound, if you keep your eyes open for them. Also keep yourself open to the idea of taking classes outside your major and a bit risky to your GPA. Don’t let fear of failure keep you from opportunities to extend your boundaries. I did not receive my highest grades in the two years of French classes I took… but looking back I am so grateful for the cultural exposure they gave me. And if you have a free elective, why not take a course in Japanese culture?
3. Pray, pray, pray. After all, God so loved the world… His plan didn’t start and doesn’t end with the United States. All you have to do is turn on the news to realize that there is a lot to be praying about in this world. We may not get the hands-on opportunity to give food to children in Somalia or help rebuild Japan, but God gives us the chance to be involved in these things all the same. Pray for the countries ravaged by natural disasters. Pray for the countless precious people who are at this moment in slavery to oppressive governments and to other human beings. Pray for those in bondage to fear and idolatry. Pray for the persecuted Christians in the world. Pray for missionaries. These few requests are only scratching the surface… find an issue or a people that you feel passionate about and make a commitment to continually remember them before the Lord. These are people that you probably will not see until you get to heaven, but whose life you can impact today through your prayers.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Make the most of your time and best of luck!
Katherine Hannon, UBC & TCU Graduate, Class of 2005, and Chronic World Traveler
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